Italy's new coronavirus cases expected to start declining soon

Two cyclists working for the food delivery service Glovo ride their bike across a deserted Piazza Duomo in Milan, Italy, on March 31, 2020. (Photo by AFP)

Max Civili
Press TV, Rome

On Tuesday, the Higher Health Institute announced that after reaching its peak, the coronavirus' spread in Italy is expected to plateau for some time, meaning more recoveries than new infections are to be recorded for a while before the curve begins its descent.

However, lockdown measures will be extended by at least two weeks from the initial date of April 3 set by the government, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said on Tuesday. The government has yet to announce the new date.

Italy's Civil Protection Department announced on Tuesday evening that more than 12,000 people have died of the disease caused by the coronavirus and almost 16,000 have now recovered from the infection in the country. The overall number of people to have contracted the virus, including the deceased and those who have recovered, stands at about 106,000 so far.

On Tuesday, flags flew at half-mast across Italy. A minute's silence was observed to mourn the thousands of victims of the coronavirus and express support for their families. The initiative was called by Italian mayors and shared by Italy's national institutions.

Italy's main organization of industrial employers Confindustria has warned the coronavirus crisis will translate into the country's GDP shrinking by 10% in the first half of the year. Rome is expecting the European Union to take extraordinary measures and consider issuing joint debt at the EU level in order to help Europe’s economy recover from the crisis. However, Germany and other Northern European countries are resisting this idea.

The Italian government is reportedly working on next month's decree that is expected to feature an emergency income move in support of millions of Italians economically affected by the lockdown measures.

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